Queen Elizabeth II took the floor on Sunday, April 5th at 8 pm local time to speak about the health crisis that has been plaguing the world in recent weeks. In her address to the British people and the members of the Commonwealth nations, the mother of Prince Charles, himself infected with the coronavirus, urged her fellow citizens to stay home in order to slow the spread of the virus.
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Elizabeth II dressed in green: a symbolic choice
After more than 68 years at the head of the British monarchy, this is only the 4th time she has given a speech on television. The last time she gave one was in 2002 when her mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon passed away. For this speech, the Queen, who had recorded this message under very strict sanitary measures in order to protect her health, chose quite the unexpected look.
The monarch, who will soon be 94 years old, always appears in colourful ensembles at each of her media appearances, and she did not deviate from her custom for this speech. She appeared on television wearing a green dress that she had accessorised with an emerald broach pinned near the top of her outfit and a pearl set. Like a skilled orator, she often uses the colour of her outfits to convey messages. In these dramatic circumstances, she chose green because it symbolises hope and luck.
A speech focusing on hope
In her address, the grandmother of Princes Harry and William delivered a message of hope to her fellow citizens:
I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge and those who come after us will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any. That the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country
These strong words resonated in the hearts of the people of the United Kingdom. With hope and dignity, Her Majesty said: 'We will succeed – and that success will belong to every one of us,' before thanking all the health care workers who are fighting alongside the sick.
